Head of Zeus takes two historical novels from Whitfield in exclusive submission

Head of Zeus has swooped for two historical novels from Clare Whitfield, beginning with the “unmissable” Elephants and Diamonds.

Madeleine O’Shea, acting publishing director, acquired world all language rights from David Headley at D H H Literary Agency following an exclusive submission. Elephants and Diamonds will be published under the Apollo Fiction imprint in September 2024. 

“I am delighted that Madeleine and the rest of the brilliant team at Head of Zeus will continue publishing Clare’s books,” said Headley. “Her previous two books were beautifully published with a clear strategic vision and I really believe that the in-house passion for Elephants and Diamonds will further build Clare’s readership and bring her even more fans.”

Based on a real-life all-female London crime gang, the Forty Elephants, the novel will follow 19-year-old Eleanor Mackridge, who leaves behind her working-class family to reinvent herself as “Nell the Mack”.

Whitfield said: “I’m elated to be working with Madeleine and Head of Zeus again and thrilled to bring to life this story of a working-class girl in the 1920s as she moves through the ranks of what has to be the most successful female crime gang of all time.”  

O’Shea added: “I absolutely love Clare’s writing and am thrilled to have secured two more books with her. The historical inspiration behind Elephants and Diamonds is incredible – an all-female crime gang who mixed glamour with ‘Peaky Blinders’-style grit. Clare is a master at weaving fact into fiction and this is going to be an unmissable novel.”